Mandas nears Bournemouth on loan with obligation from Lazio: Details revealed

Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas is close to completing his transfer from Lazio to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in a move that could bring in more than €20m for the Biancocelesti. 

According to reports from various outlets in the UK and Italy, Mandas is close to joining Bournemouth on loan with an option to buy that could become mandatory under certain conditions. 

The Greece international is expected to join the Cherries on an initial loan deal until the end of the season, and that there will be an obligation to buy should they qualify for Europe and if Mandas plays in a certain percentage of fixtures. 

Should the loan deal be made permanent, Lazio will receive a fee in the region of €22m according to reports from the likes of Alex Crook, Ben Jacobs and Calciomercato.com.

This represents a significant profit for Lazio, who spent a reported fee of €1.3m to sign the goalkeeper from OFI Crete in the summer of 2023. 

Mandas was initially signed to provide cover for Ivan Provedel, and went on to make nine Serie A appearances during his first season, covering for Mandas while he recovered from an ankle injury. 

Mandas was handed more opportunities under Marco Baroni in 2024-25, but has since reverted to becoming the back-up option since the return of Maurizio Sarri this season.